In all the frenzy of wedding preparations, it's easy to lose perspective. ("If the candle votives aren't perfect, nothing's perfect!" You know, that kind of thing.) But I've just been thinking about this man a lot lately, while cutting out fabric, painting decorations, and checking off lists. And I'm so grateful for him. At the end of this frenzy of wedding prep (and through it) is one of the most wonderful people I have ever known, and am likely to ever know. His heart is the kindest, most caring heart I've ever found. He finds joy in others' laughter, and mourns with the broken-hearted. He's constantly seeking for truth and beauty and knowledge, and shares it when he finds it. I learn so much from his example, whether in little things that make life more convenient, or in big things that make life more beautiful. Here's just a taste of how Jacob has helped to change me for the better.
Things I’ve Learned from Jacob Chapman (so far):
1. There is always time to say hello to a friend or acquaintance.
2. Hamlet is even more awesome than I had previously thought.
3. Pearl Jam is one of the greatest bands of the last 30 years.
4. When in doubt, talk. You have nothing to lose by being honest, by communicating.
5. Every life is valuable, whether it be the life of a friend or the life of a spider, the life of someone that drives you crazy or the life of the smallest ant.
6. If you turn the heat on in the car, but keep the vents closed, you don’t have to have cold air blasted on you while you’re waiting for the heat to get going.
7. It can be difficult to do the right thing, to resist temptation, and to keep the covenants that you’ve made. But it’s do-able. Some may say that men, especially, are fighting a losing battle, surrounded by temptation in the media. But it is possible to remain virtuous and to honor the covenants that you’ve made, no matter who you are.
8. Some of the coolest people alive today include: Jack White (of the White Stripes), Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam), Anthony Fantano, and Garrison Keillor.
9. Poetry is often better when read aloud.
10. Beauty can be found everywhere…in the dance-like movement of bees, in the fluttering of prayer flags, in the curve of an ankle, in the petals of a dandelion blossom.
I'm so excited to spend the rest of my life learning from this man's example. I hope I can one day be half as patient, kind, and honest as this man is.
5 comments:
Actually, you're going to be spending the rest of eternity learning from him, but it sounds like it won't get old. Which is a good thing.
And I had to google "candle votives." I still don't really know what they are.
And my word verification is "bounci." Awesome.
Have you seen It Might Get Loud? It's a documentary about guitar/Jack White, Jimmy Page, and the Edge. Very cool.
Ohkay, i swear i didn't steal my attempt at expressing my real love from your outstanding projection of yours. I love reading your blog! your emotion is so tangible. love you TWO and i'm so excited for the reception!!!
Hey, where did you find the new lady with glasses, nakedness covered with books, for your blog picture? Personally, I think the other one captures Lizanne-ness more, but I can certainly understand why this one is coming into the picture. ;-)
Love you!
Mom
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Ps - my word verification was Emetsi .. which will be the name of your first daughter!
Liz. Lizlizlizlizliz. Words fail me all the time---though I think a more accurate statement is that I fail the words; there's plenty out there---when it comes to you and your expressions of love. Thank you for caring, for being aware of small things, for seeing things in me that you admire. I'm surprised! And humbled. And happy! :)
I love you, achingly. And Emetsi should definitely be the name of our first daughter.
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